The short answer is yes...but not without a caveat.
Here is Matsumoto-san's answer, as written in our April newsletter.
Someone attending my online zazenkai asked me if it is ok or not to have satori (enlightenment) as a goal.
The short answer is, yes, it is fine to have satori as a goal. While sitting in zazen, however, one should not contemplate that goal or imagine what it is and then use some method or means to get closer to it—this is actually unnecessary.
I will explain why having a goal is acceptable, though using methods or means to achieve it while sitting is unnecessary.
This is the way humans are: When looking forward, we are just as it is forward. When hearing “hello,” “hello” is the way it is. When thinking “I’m hungry,” “I’m hungry” is the way it is.
And when there is “hello,” there is “hello.” When there is “goodbye,” there is “goodbye.” When there is “I’m hungry,” there is, “I’m hungry.” There is only what is manifesting now, as an actual fact.
Because there is only the content of what is actually manifesting now as fact, and there is no other separate content, the content of what is manifeting now itself is Truth.
The fact manifesting now is all there is. So there is no other way for us to be than the way that content already is. The way it is is already Truth, so there are actually no methods or means.
This is why zazen is just being as actual fact is—which is Truth itself.
And to explain satori, it is the complete clarity that the way it is facing forward itself is without self and is itself Truth. It may not feel that way to you, however, simply because you haven’t realized it yet. Until cognition ceases once, it is impossible to be fully clear, beyond doubt, of Truth.
Some may think that sitting with the hands in a mudra is a method, but if you do this experiment, you will understand. Try sitting with the mudra. Then without it. Without the mudra, does the way it is in front of you vanish? It does not. With or without it, the way it is facing forward is the way it is.
Please understand that adjusting the posture is to prevent sleepiness and strain on the body.
